MARTIN: IT WILL BE AN EXCITING OCCASION

Martin Allen says the team are in a positive frame of mind as they approach the game against Bradford at MEMS Priestfield Stadium on Saturday.

The Gills go in to the game without a win so far this season, but Martin has been encouraged by the last couple of performances away from home, and said the start of the campaign was always going to be tricky considering the level of opposition.

He said: "Playing against some of the big clubs we have played against it's going to be testing and I suppose you could say not great, but this is what you’re up against.

“You’re up against much better players and this is what we worked so hard for in the 10 months last season. We have changed and altered things tactically and the players have been very receptive.

“A few individual errors have cost us dear at key moments in games but the name of the game is to keep faith in your players, keep practicing, keep going over bits and pieces, keep encouraging them and we certainly don’t walk around the corridors saying `we are not this and that`, we talk about looking after ourselves and making ourselves better.

“If we win a game we go in to mid-table someone told me so it’s still early days, we have had to chop and change the team with international duties, sending off, couple of injuries and our main midfield player has been out for a month.

“We have played clubs with big budgets and good teams so there is no need for panic stations, doom and gloom and a negative attitude.

“We have a great bunch of lads who are very positive and the breaks will come our way.”

Phil Parkinson brings his Bantams side to Kent on Saturday after a good start to the season having been promoted from League Two via the play-offs, but Martin is keen to concentrate on his own players rather than focus on what the opposition might do.

He said: “They are a good team and did very well last year with the promotion and their cup run. They have two good forward players but most importantly it’s about us this weekend, getting a good team performance and getting it going.

“At this moment in time it’s not to talk about the opposition or thinking about them, it’s about getting our best team on the pitch and I think we will be very strong on Saturday and it will be an exciting occasion.

“The players are playing well apart from one away game when we were absolutely pants. The supporters have been spot on with full backing right to the very end – even when we haven’t won they have clapped the players because the effort has been spot on.

“I think they know we are moving in the right direction. The lads have been playing well, they need some breaks I think but if you keep playing well then they will come.”

Gills Player.Below is a brief clip from Martin's press conference. Full version can be seen on